Instead of feeling butterflies fluttering in his stomach, Jackson could actually feel big fat beavers jumping around the interior of his torso, breaking ribs and ripping tendons along the way (yeah not only is he a loudmouth, he actually exaggerates things even to himself). In front of him stood his long time idol-crush Lay Zhang and his absolute favorite artist that he looked up to - JJ Lin. The two were engaged in a hearty conversation after their beautiful collab-performance at the convention. The first day of the convention had ended with major artists doing short performances. Due to the inavailabilty of time, most of them had decided on collabs to satisfy multiple fandoms, all the while saving time. He had also enjoyed other collabs as well, for instance, that of Kris Wu and Lexie Lui's - their rap flow, he deemed, was really out of this world. Then there was the beautiful Isyana Sarasvati whose solo song was verging on the psychidelic.Many other senior artists had performed from Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, South-Korea and China etc. The convention performances were organized in the order of seniority as well as popularity and although his heart swelled with pride on watching his seniors perform, he was still a bit fazed that his group still had a long way to go before he could ever manage to collab with the said artists. But then he looked to his side and there was the boy, unknown to the world, playing with the drink in his hand and finding himself completely out of place. Youngjae had taken a place at his side that evening, for the after-party had shifted to another place from the venue of the performances. After managing to submit his piece, 'Nobody Knows' to the administrators of the convention who will  pass them to the lead composers that were acting as judges to select some talent this way, he had been allowed in with the rest. There were many artists Jackson should be meeting right now, expanding his circle, taking valuable advice of the seniors and having fun with the juniors but the set of two lost brown eyes held him back. He took a few steps towards the younger and now, close enough, took his hand in his. Jackson himself was looking pretty charming in his maroon three-piece and pinkish-blonde hair but the younger just exuded something that was extremely attractive. The innocence on Youngjae's face, very true to his young age, fused with a certain thoughtfulness made him look like an indescribably sensitive sort of beauty. He was wearing a dark red velvety floral ruched shirt on top of skinny black jeans that made his skin look all the more paler but relentlessly attractive. Jackson had taken the time to actually look for this shirt himself with his stylist's help and he never felt more proud of his choice. On having his hand held, the younger looked up only to recieve a wide and coquettish grin from the elder. 'My otter looks ravishing tonight.' Jackson said teasingly but God knows he really meant it. 'Why don't you have a piece then?' Youngjae playfully invites him by placing a hand on the other's chin, forcing Jackson's gaze up from his thighs and towards his eyes. Jackson pouts at that saying, "They used to be fuller. I miss your honey thighs. . . nOt ThAt i EvEr HaD tHe InTeNtIoN oF mArKiNg ThEm, OO nO bUt . .. " Jackson looked at him as sultry as he could and Youngjae gave him a full, merry laugh at that. That momentarily got them the attention of everyone and, in particular, of a set of intensly piercing eyes too, although it hadn't been the first time they had looked his way that evening. That's right, Jaebum was at the other corner of the hall conversing with Jinyoung, Wonpil, YoungK and Sungjin. He was trying his best not to stare at the younger but the laugh got his curiosity peaked and he just couldn't shift his gaze from the other. To Jinyoung's surprise however, Youngk had also looked at the younger multiple times with some inkling of what he could only decipher as adoration. Since most of them were already looking towards Jackson and his friend's direction, Jinyoung spoke up, trying to stirr things into at least some level of motion. 

'Jackson's friend seems very nice but the way he's shadowing the other makes it appear that he's not very sociable. He's already acquainted to Jaebum here, why not bring him over and give him some nice company?' 'Fine by me' Sungjin said to which Wonpil nodded and gestured to Jinyoung, implying he does the inviting job. But without Jinyoung's ado Youngk moved towards the targeted pair. 'Yo Jackson, what's good!' he greeted him but without waiting for his response turned to the other and asked 'How are you holding up? Wanna grab some drinks with the rest of us Jackson's friends?' Jackson brightened at that. Not that he thought Youngjae was in any way coming in the way of him getting the most from this evening, well may be a little, but he was ever more delighted on the thought of having Youngjae blend in with the rest of his friends and feel somewhat at home, specially with s although only two were present tonight. On seeing Jackson this lit up and revived Youngjae could only nod in affirmation. He sulked a little on the inside knowing that those days were perhaps long past when he was not a party popper but his hyung's only sunshine from whom the latter never wanted to be separated. On leaving a hyper-excited Seunnie behind he arrived to the group that Youngk led him to. He was briefly introduced to them by Jackson on his arrival before they shifted to a certain corner to hang out while he followed Jackson the other way. Being artists from a label which his parent's company sponsored, he was already familiarized with them. At least, enough to not stand out too much or fall into uncomfortable silence with them. On joining the others his eyes involuntarily shifted to Jaebum and he blushed a little on how the other was staring at him. Jaebum smiled a little on witnessing the rise of crimson in the younger's cheeks and the aversion of his eyes until they settled on his drink. This made Youngjae remember about the events of last day. Jaebum might be a little disappointed on knowing this but Youngjae doesn't think much about people unless he shares the same physical space with them. That is to say, unless they are physically present there or engaged with him, only then they get to receive his attention. The out of sight, out of mind phenomenon is most true to Youngjae's daily social dealings. His and Jaebum's exchanges have not been more to him than that. But strangely as he beholds the older once again in front of him, memories of their interaction usher in as his temporary amnesia is lifted. Now formally dressed in a navy blue coat, white turtleneck sweater and navy dress-pants, Jaebum looks a lot more artist-like than yesterday, all drenched and hot? Youngjae pictured the person from yesterday and glanced at the very person  once again. He saw that in the few times they have met Jaebum never did much to make his appearnace stand out and yet he looks the best here tonight, or just the fact he is the only person other than Jackson he had met eyes with tonight. Jaebum mentally cursed himself for not approaching the other earlier when he realizes the other is studying him a bit and acknowledging his presence. But then again, his eyes had followed Youngjae around during the whole of the convention's proceedings but the other never seemed to look for him. This only just made him realize the fact that the other was just a complete stranger who harldy spared him a thought much less a look and the wave of embarrassment hit him tonight the nth time on realizing that he suggested to this beautiful stranger an escapade to the wilderness. He thought back to that moment. After he had blurted out his little proposal he had not the courage to look at the other and had severely prayed his voice was muffled in the sound of rain. Their little moment had been broken by Jackson calling the younger and bragging to him of the garment he had picked for him to wear at tonight's event. Youngjae had immediately told him of Jaebum and the caller had come to pick him up in less than ten minutes with countless apologies to his leader-nim. Jaebum made a loud sigh after he was done recalling the events and Youngjae smiled at that, making jaebum gulp. Youngjae's thoughts had been set into commotion too on meeting the other. He brushed them aside and came to the present on feeling a slight contact. Youngk, on his side, slided his arm to the other's back, patting it and then resting his arm on Youngjae's waist while engaging him in a conversation, 'So Youngjaessi, are you interested in composition only or do you have a mind for singing as well?' Although Youngjae was a bit taken aback at first on the contact, he warmed up to the touch knowing it was very friendly and he found something honest and amiable in the other's gaze too so he tilted his body towards the other, granting him his full view before replying with the friendliest smile he could muster, 'I'm interested in both. I enjoy singing more if that's what you're asking. But lately [slight pause] I can't seem to find my full voice so I dedicate my free time on composing. But I wonder if I can juggle them both with the responsibilities that are to come my way now. I'll soon be making my visits to your company on matters of business.Hope to see more of you all there.' Youngk immediately caught on to the other's slightly dismayed tone and sighed, 'Would've been better should we meet as fellow vocalists.' Youngjae could only smile at that. Jaebum's heart dropped at that smile again. He instinctively went for the younger's back to caress him a little when his hand made contact with Youngk's for the other had not unsettled his arm from there. Both men peer at each other over Youngjae's back that doesn't go unnoticed by Jinyoung. 'How about we all get some refreshments. I need a refill. Youngk you?' The addressee wanted to say he's good but quickwitted as he is just complied and with a small, quick smile and nod to Youngjae followed Jinyoung. Jaebum, with his hand resting on Youngjae's back, now leaned closer to the other and almost whispered to the other with his eyes half-lidded, 'There's a garden linked to the hall a little ways here. Would you like to join me for a walk?' Youngjae could feel Jaebum's breath over his nape and with the hand around his back, well he couldn't help but feel a little cared for and that helped. Helped whatever barrenness his tundra of a heart fostered. After nodding he started following the other, thinking to himself these little touches shouldn't mean anything if he weren't so alone and vulnerable right now. He hated himself for how he carried his loneliness on his sleeve, for everyone to see. But then again he has always been so inclined to share his solitude with mountain-tops, river banks, rocky sea-shores, forest clearings, pastures etc that he never learnt the art of social disguises which is why he's so transparent to others. He now stares at the back of the person leading him, thinking of how he manages all this - being loved and admired by countless fans, tiresome schedules, expectations pinned on him by the public and always under hawk's eyes. Is he better off? But it's really lonesome, when he sings to the mountains and his own voice echos back. His tide of interior monlogue comes to a halt as the man in front stops.

Fresh air! Yes, they are outside. "The night-sky is loaded with stars. I thought I had seen them all inside. Though these are further and limitless, the ones inside looked more inaccessible, dazzling as they were." Youngjae rambles as he looks up at the sky and takes in a deep breath. 'I wouldn't know. I hardly noticed.' Jaebum shrugged. He had only seen one of them afterall. The furthest and most blinding one. Although they were in the garden, they stood with their backs at the rear wall of the hall, a few inches apart. 

Jaebum was aware of everything, the overcoat now Youngjae had over his velvet outfit, looking little in it. His evened out breath and occasional sniffing because of the cold. Brows sometimes furrowing as his inner thoughts complicated and then leaning out on realizing he has company. Face a bit flushed but most likely because of the cold and the drinks he had earlier. Jaebum smiled to himself a little as his brain involuntarily started humming a song. Frank Sinatra, of all the people and of all the songs for his brain to hum at this moment. The smile grew into a little chuckle, gaining the attention of the younger. Youngjae looked at him quizzically but now smiling himself. Jaebum's laugh being as contagious as Youngjae's. 'My brain's unnecessarily going through a list of classic songs and playing whatever he sees fit to make the mood richer.' 'Hahahaha like the person who sets his bestfreind with his crush and does his level best to make it work from the back?' Youngjae just said that in passing but observing Jaebum's grin recede to a shy smile made him a little flustered too, though he failed to realize what implications his words really had. 

'Wanna listen to its antics?' Jaebum said, all smiles once again. Youngjae retrieved his as well and nodded for encouragement. Jaebum commenced:

"I heard she sang a good song, I heard she had a style"

Youngjae was laughing hysterically as soon as the song began. And he lost it at style.

"And so I came to see her and listen for a while."

For the next verse he shifted in his position so he was facing Youngjae completely.

"And there she was this young girl, a stranger to my eyes."

He continued, with Youngjae practically abstaining himself from rolling on the garden bed. 

"Strumming my pain with her fingers

Singing my life with her words."

Youngjae recovering a little, joined him too. Both grinning like dorks and singing together:

"She sang as if she knew me in all my dark despair

And then she looked right through me as if I wasn't there

But she was there this stranger, singing clear and strong"

"Killing me softly, Killing me softly."

After the song ended, they both fell into silence. But both knew. Both knew they weren't strangers anymore. 

Sorry if this ship's story is progressing as slow as my updates. 

Plot twist: Youngjae falls for Youngk and Jaebum visits Kunlun alone.  . . haha I'm weak for my 2Young Djs too. 

Also, I knew Youngjae would be the death of me in that red shirt from Last Piece mv. He slayed it. 

Plz don't hold back on the comments. Tell me if the story is in any way interesting? It's my first fanfic and I sorta tend to knit things naturally. There's a bundle of drama and passion in store for later additions. So stay tuned!